Edge Detection: A Collection of Pixel based Approach for Colored Images

The existing traditional edge detection algorithms process a single pixel on an image at a time, thereby calculating a value which shows the edge magnitude of the pixel and the edge orientation. Most of these existing algorithms convert the coloured images into gray scale before detection of edges. However, this process leads to inaccurate precision of recognized edges, thus producing false and broken edges in the image. This paper presents a profile modelling scheme for collection of pixels based on the step and ramp edges, with a view to reducing the false and broken edges present in the image. The collection of pixel scheme generated is used with the Vector Order Statistics to reduce the imprecision of recognized edges when converting from coloured to gray scale images. The Pratt Figure of Merit (PFOM) is used as a quantitative comparison between the existing traditional edge detection algorithm and the developed algorithm as a means of validation. The PFOM value obtained for the developed algorithm is 0.8480, which showed an improvement over the existing traditional edge detection algorithms.Comment: 5 Page

Super-harmonic injection locking of nano-contact spin-torque vortex oscillators

Super-harmonic injection locking of single nano-contact (NC) spin-torque vortex oscillators (STVOs) subject to a small microwave current has been explored. Frequency locking was observed up to the fourth harmonic of the STVO fundamental frequency $f_{0}$ in microwave magneto-electronic measurements. The large frequency tunability of the STVO with respect to $f_{0}$ allowed the device to be locked to multiple sub-harmonics of the microwave frequency $f_{RF}$, or to the same sub-harmonic over a wide range of $f_{RF}$ by tuning the DC current. In general, analysis of the locking range, linewidth, and amplitude showed that the locking efficiency decreased as the harmonic number increased, as expected for harmonic synchronization of a non-linear oscillator. Time-resolved scanning Kerr microscopy (TRSKM) revealed significant differences in the spatial character of the magnetization dynamics of states locked to the fundamental and harmonic frequencies, suggesting significant differences in the core trajectories within the same device. Super-harmonic injection locking of a NC-STVO may open up possibilities for devices such as nanoscale frequency dividers, while differences in the core trajectory may allow mutual synchronisation to be achieved in multi-oscillator networks by tuning the spatial character of the dynamics within shared magnetic layers.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figure

Assessing the Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance of Quantity Surveying Students

Previous studies have established that Emotional Intelligence (EI) has an effect on the performance of students. EI of construction students has been found to be lower than their counterparts in other disciplines. These studies, however did not evaluate the EI in relation to performance. Thus this creates a gap with regards to the relationship of EI and the academic performance of construction students. Therefore, this study assessed the emotional intelligence and academic performance among quantity surveying students. Data were collected by means of closed–ended questionnaires, which were administered online. Data gathered were analysed using descriptive (Mean, Frequency and Standard Deviations) and inferential (Analysis of Variance) statistics through the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS software). The 16-item Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale was used to evaluate the level of emotional intelligence and explore the effect on academic performance. The results of the study indicated that quantity surveying students have a high level of EI, and a significant difference was found between students EI and academic performance. Students with higher Academic performance were found to have higher level of Self-Emotion Appraisal (SEA) and Use of Emotions (UOE). However, the results did not show a significant difference under Others’ Emotion Appraisal (OEA) and Regulation of Emotions (ROE). Thus this study concluded that EI of quantity surveying students gave an indication of the level of academic performance (CGPA) and therefore recommends that EI should be incorporated into academic curricula to improve the EI level of constructionstudents.&nbsp

Development of a sparse RFID reader deployment algorithm for effective RFID network planning

A well planned Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network achieves the following twin objectives, (a) reduces the cost of acquiring the readers to be deployed (b) completes coverage of tags deployed in the network. A reader deployment approach that considered the physical topology of passive tags that were sparsely deployed in a RFID network was developed. In the implemented technique, readers could not be deployed outside the work area which implied that tags located outside the work area could not be detected. Bidirectional communication between the readers and tags could only be established if their receiver sensitivity was less than or equal to the incoming signal. The developed algorithm was optimized by logically integrating some sub-algorithms such as Useless Reader Elimination Algorithm (UREA) and Redundant Reader Elimination Algorithm (RREA). The effectiveness of the developed Sparse Reader Deployment Algorithm (SRDA) was demonstrated through simulation of various scenarios. The implemented approach was compared to the Constrained Reader Deployment Approach (CORDA) and the former outperformed the latter in terms of Optimal Power Dissipated (OPD) which was 255mW. The impact of increasing the number of tags and coverage area on the OPD of SRDA was investigated in a bid to ascertain the robustness of the developed algorithm.Keywords: RFID; CORDA; SRDA; OPD

Digital Technology: the Effect of Connected World to Computer Ethic and Family

The development of digital technology such as smartphones, tablets and other gadgets grows very rapidly in the last decade so does the development of mobile applications for those mobile systems or smartphones. Unfortunately, those applications often do not specify the age range for their users. This is actually a problem in the world of digital technology and software development. It is not yet known whether the applications is good be used for children or not. Nowadays, parents are faced with the dilemma of allowing their children to use these modern gadgets, which often lead to serious addiction or keeping them in the dark and risk raising ignorant kids. This research shows 80% of respondents agree or strongly agree that the gadget will affect to the development of children social skill. Therefore, in this research, the framework for ethical assessment is introduced and it can be applied to digital technology included gadget and its application in order to mitigate the negative effect of digital technology and gadgets

Numerical analysis of energy recovery system for turbocharged internal combustion engines via a parallel compounding turbine

Increasing energy efficiency requirements mandatory ask for optimizing energy utilization in many devices, which include internal combustion engines. One of the most investigated subjects is the energy recovery from the exhaust, such as turbo-compound systems, which usually consist in a secondary turbine located afterward the turbocharger. Here an alternative arrangement is proposed and analysed via a numerical model. The recovery turbine works in parallel to the main turbine and uses the gasses which would be otherwise wasted through the waste-gate valve, once the set-point boost pressure is reached. The reference case analysed is a 12.4L turbocharged diesel engine, commonly used in marine, road and light railroad applications, with a nominal power of 380kW. The results showed that an overall 8% of power can be gained, without nor increasing the fuel mass flow rate, neither requiring significant modifications to the baseline engine. Moreover, in the case of the recovery system failure, the operation of the engine is not affected, thus resulting in no engine availability reduction. This work also shows a feasible way to convert the mechanical energy delivered by the recovery turbine into electrical energy, by making use of a high-speed electrical generator

Direct observation of magnetization dynamics generated by nano-contact spin-torque vortex oscillators

Time-resolved scanning Kerr microscopy has been used to directly image the magnetization dynamics of nano-contact (NC) spin-torque vortex oscillators (STVOs) when phase-locked to an injected microwave (RF) current. The Kerr images reveal free layer magnetization dynamics that extend outside the NC footprint, where they cannot be detected electrically, but which are crucial to phase-lock STVOs that share common magnetic layers. For a single NC, dynamics were observed not only when the STVO frequency was fully locked to that of the RF current, but also for a partially locked state characterized by periodic changes in the core trajectory at the RF frequency. For a pair of NCs, images reveal the spatial character of dynamics that electrical measurements show to have enhanced amplitude and reduced linewidth. Insight gained from these images may improve understanding of the conditions required for mutual phase-locking of multiple STVOs, and hence enhanced microwave power emission.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Enhancement of Selective Mapping Technique for Peak-To-Average Power Ratio Reduction in OFDM using Normalized Hilbert Matrix

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is good multicarrier transmission system used for broadband wireless communication systems owing to it is numerous benefits such as high bandwidth efficiency, high transmission rate, and robustness against multi path problem. However, one of the hitches of OFDM high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) of the transmitted signal, which results in signal distortion and reduced power amplifier efficiency. Selective Mapping (SLM) is attractive distortion less method for PAPR reduction. The performance of this technique in reducing the PAPR is largely affected by the magnitude of phase rotation vectors. It also requires to  transmit the selected phase rotation vectors that produce the signal with the lowest PAPR to the receiver end for the recovery of the original data. In this paper, two normalization procedures in conjunction with the Hilbert matrix are used to obtain phase rotation vectors for the SLM technique to further reduce the PAPR value. The reduction of PAPR is desirable in order to have a better power efficiency of the amplifier. The simulation results demonstrated that the enhanced SLM technique using normalized Hilbert matrix achieved a better PAPR reduction compared to SLM using Hilbert matrix without normalization with 14.0%, and 14.0%  percentage improvement. Another benefit of this method is that the matrix can be generated at the receiver end to obtain the data signal, thus eliminating the transmission of side information with the original data

Flexural performance of built-up cold-formed steel beam filled with compacted soil

Cold-formed steel is the well-liked structural materials in the construction industry and used as an alternative construction material upon the traditional material such as reinforced concrete, hot-rolled steel or timber. The purpose of compacted soil is filled into a cold formed steel section to contribute to the environmentally friendly with reasonable strength and can also reduce production costs without concrete beams. The cold-formed steel material is selected and combined with the compacted soil to construct the beam that could increase the ultimate moment. Compacted soil from the Kaolinite group is prepared and tested to find out its properties. Two cold-formed steel channels are connected face to face to form a built-up box section, tightened with bolts and nuts. Three different bolt spacing arrangements are prepared. The main purpose of the study is to determine the ultimate load of the beam with and without compacted soil, as well as to investigate the relationship of the bolt spacing arrangement to ultimate load resistance. From the result, built-up CFS beam with compacted soil (CFSBCS) showed higher values of the ultimate moment compared to built-up CFS beam without compacted soil (CFSB). Bolt arrangement in the middle spacing influenced the overall ultimate load resistance of the beam. The ultimate load resistance reduced when the length subtraction between bolt arrangement, B and C is less. It is concluded that CFSBCS is able to achieve reasonable ultimate moment and also able to increase initial stiffness